Parts ID help?
 

Tried searching, saw one post but there was no definitive answer was given.

I'm in process of replacing my Alternator, and when I was about to reinstall the new one I noticed this hose just hanging there. Its a hard pvc type line. Guessing a Vent tube or maybe a vacumn line. Both ends were disconnected.

Will attach a couple pics. Really wanting to figure this out so I can get this ALT back in. Worried its an important piece lol

Looks like DIN 73378-8xi>pa12-hl-rss-de-normaflex-bmw-31.50-1.428.849-21/08/03-05:42:56-# is the stamp on it?

Thanks ahead of time

Trying photos again:


Photobucket


Photobucket

Forget about using photobucket to host your pictures. Just upload your pictures directly to the website. Use the paper clip icon on the tool bar.

It a vent tube for the front diff.

Thanks. I tried attaching the photos, but was told the image was too large, so tried photobucket instead.

Where exactly on Dif does this connect? From as far as I can see I can't see where.. is it a blind feel connection?

Not sure why its not in my SIG. but its a 2004 X5 3.0I m54

In this picture, you can see where it was cut off.

As UAN said, diff vent pipe - #1 in diagram (and the part number of the hose confirms this) : -

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/images/diag_18xa.png

Great. Thanks, little feeling around, and moved a few hoses could see it and got it back in place. now to finagle that lower ALT bolt to line up

If you don't have a photo sharing website you can upload your images to (besides "photo-f-ucket"...they did changes to their user agreement and thousands of old DIY photos have been purged)...and you want to upload images as attachments using the forums software...then you need to lower the resolution of your pics to somewhere around 800x600 or smaller (that's what I've found to work well & shows up well regardless if you're on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or giant 72"monitor).

Either lower your camera's resolution...or find an app that can resize your images if you want to only upload the images here with smaller resolution...but keep the ginormous resolution for other things. :)